An alleged move to convert unoccupied portions of the Girls Special Science School, Agbani, into a commercial housing estate has prompted protests by host communities, who say the land was originally acquired for the school.
Members of Amauzam-Ugbawka and Agbani communities in Nkanu East Local Council of Enugu State criticised the reported plan, describing it as “land grabbing”.
Carrying placards, the protesters said the move would further deprive them of ancestral land, about 22 years after the school became operational without clearly defined boundaries. They added that a significant portion of the land remains undeveloped.
The communities urged Governor Peter Mbah to halt the proposed development and establish proper boundaries for the school.That the state government, through the Ministry of Housing, has earmarked the undeveloped sections of the school land for a housing project, despite repeated requests from the communities for the return of unused land or payment of compensation.
The land, which spans Ugbawka Amauzam and Agbani, was reportedly acquired during the administration of former governor Chimaroke Nnamani without consultation with landowners or clearly demarcated boundaries.
In 2016, the communities wrote to the administration of former governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, seeking clarification on the school’s boundaries and requesting a formal survey, with copies made available to stakeholders, alongside an agreement on the siting of the school.
They said they again wrote to Governor Mbah in 2024, requesting the release of unoccupied land to the affected families to support livelihoods amid rising economic hardship.
The protesters were prevented by security personnel from accessing the Government House but submitted a petition outlining their concerns.
“For more than 10 years (about two under your government and more than eight years under earlier administrations), our community members have patiently and diplomatically engaged and waited for government to formalise all ambiguities and improprieties around the siting of the Girls Science Special School, Ugbawka-Agbani.
“Fortunately, under your kind leadership we learnt there were proposals to resize the school and fence off the usable area for the safety of the students.
“Suddenly, we are hearing that, contrary to our efforts to reach you on this almost two years ago, that all saved land from this effort, rather than being returned to us, will now be used for a commercial housing estate with zero discussion with the host communities by the Ministry of Lands.
“This is a great betrayal of our trust and patience in due process. Understandably, this is causing great distress and unrest amongst our people,” the petition read.
The petition, signed by Chukwu William, Patrick Nwodo and Ugbor Chukwuma, urged the governor to approve the resizing of the school land, return unused portions to the communities, ensure due consultation in line with the Land Use Act, and pay compensation for land already utilised for the school.
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